Torque indicator



Oct. 9, 1934.

TORQUE INDICATOR Filed July 10, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l O O L L l l HllllllHll By I v flllorney 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Inventor 1.75m 0577mm .W. H. BLACKMON TORQUE INDICATOR F'led July 10, 1933 Q \\\W if...

Oct. 9, 1934.

/I Home y Patented Oct. 9, 1934 s TORQUE INDICATOR William, Henry Blackmon, Tampico, w Mexicov 1 Application July 10, 1933; Serial No. 679,821

' 2 Claims. c1. 2e5 25) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in torque indicators for use particularly in well drilling and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, through themedium of which the twisting stress to which a drill pipe is subjected while operating will be shown, thus materially assisting the operator in preventing said drill pipe from being twisted ofi.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a torque indicator of the aforementioned character whichwill be simple in construction, strong,

durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, compact and which may be manufactured andinstalled at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further object and advantages of the invention will become apjparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan, showing a torque indicator constructed in' accordance with the present invention mounted in position for use.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the indicator.

Figure 3 is a detail view in side elevation of the piston.

Figure 4 is a detail view in vertical section through the check valve which controls the oil 1 passage between the hand pump and the cylinder. Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodimentof the invention which has been illustrated comprises a body or casting lwhich-is secured transversely'on the" base 2 of the drilling apparatus at right angles ;.to the table drive shaft 3. One end'of the casting 1 is immediately adjacent the driveshaft 3 and is inclined, as clearly. illustrated in, Figure 2 of the drawings. 1 from the inclined inner end thereof isan oil =-receiving cylinder 4 in which a piston 5 is operable. Mounted on the inner end of the piston 5 is a suitable cup 6 which, of course, is to prevent leakage past said piston. v

Mounted on the other end of the'piston 5 is a bearing section 7 which is complemental toa bearing section 8 in a removable cap 9 which is mounted on the inclined end of the casting 1. The'drive shaft 3 is journaled in the bearings? and 8.

The casting 1 also has formed therein, between IOWSI Extending into the casting the cylinders and the outer 'end of said casting, an oil reservoir 10 which is filled throughthe medium of a removable plug 11. Formed in the casting 1, adjacent the reservoir 10, is a pumpchamber 12 having a check valve 13 in its lower end. A plunger 14 reciprocates in the chamber 12, said plunger being actuated by a hand lever 15 which is pivotally mounted on top of the casting 1, as at 16. The lever 15 is provided with a slot through which the pin 17 of the plunger 14 passes. Oil from the reservoir 10 is drawn into the chamber 12 past the valve 13 through a passage 18 from said chamber. A passage 19 establishes communication between the chamber 12 and the cylinder 4, said passage 19 having mounted therein a spring seated check valve-20. It will thus be seen that the desired quantity. of oil may be forced under pressure into the cylinder i from the reservoir 10. The oil may be permitted to return to the reservoir 10 from the cylinder 4 through a passage 21 which is con: trolled by a hand valve 22.

Communicating with the cylinder 4 for receiving oil under pressure therefrom is a tube 23. The I be located at any tube 23 is connected with a pressure indicating gage (not shown) which may suitable point.

Briefly, the operation of the device is as fol- As the drive shaft 3 rotates the'table 24 of the drilling apparatus in a clockwise direction,

as usual, said drive shaft 3 exerts lateralpressure on the piston 5.1, The piston 5 is thus r'novedinwardly inthe cylinder 4 ma manner to-eject the oil from'sai'd cylinder into the tube 23 which, of course, actuates the gage. It will thus be seen that the stresson the drill pipe may be conveniently ascertained at-lany time. As previously stated, the quantity ofloil in the cylinder 4' may be regulated. as desired through the medium of .the pump 14 andthe va1ve 22. It maybe well to here'invite attention to the fact thatethe indicator constituting the presentinvention is operatively coupled to'the drive shaft 3 immediately adjacent the table 24 of the drilling ap paratus. I

It isbelieved that the many advantages of a torque indicator constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood,

and although-the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination'and arrangement of parts maybe resorted towhich will fall 7 within the scope of. the invention as claimed.

Whatis claimed is:

I 1. Means for indicating lateral movement of a rotary shaft comprising a casting, a cylinder in the casting, said cylinder for the reception of a fluid; a fluid actuating piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, complemental bearings on the piston and on one end 01 the casting for embracing engagement *withth'e' shaft, and means for connecting a fluid pressure responsive gage'w ith h -c nd v. I 2.: Means for indicating lateral movement of 8.

rotary shaft comprising a-casting, a, cylmdei? .yssi lc the casting for the reception of a. fluid, said cylinderlcommunicatingwith one end of the casting, a bearing cap mounted on said one end of the castingga bearing section in the cap, a fluid actuating-ipiston-"slidable in the cylinder, a bearing'sejction on one end of the piston, said bearing sectionsbeingin embracing engagement with the shaft; and/means for connecting a fluidpressureresponeiv'e gage with; the cylinder; 1

n HENRY BLacKM'oN. 

